The federal government has appointed Evan Siddall as the first chair of Build Canada Homes, placing an experienced housing-sector executive at the centre of Ottawa's efforts to increase Canada's housing supply.

Siddall previously served as CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) from 2013 to 2021, where he was involved in developing the federal government's national housing strategy. He has also held senior positions in investment banking and pension-fund management.

His appointment is politically significant because housing affordability and homebuilding remain major issues for Canadian voters.

Siddall also has a previous connection to Prime Minister Mark Carney, having served as a special adviser while Carney was governor of the Bank of Canada.

Build Canada Homes was launched by the Liberal government nearly a year ago and became a Crown corporation in June, requiring it to operate under an independent board of directors.

Until the process of appointing at least eight additional directors is completed, Siddall will exercise the board's powers on his own.

The appointment gives Ottawa an opportunity to move the agency from its establishment phase toward implementing its housing-building mandate.

For Canadian politics, the development places housing supply, federal housing policy and construction acceleration back at the centre of the government's agenda.